Kelvin’s Journey of Hard Work and Health
Roots in Discipline and the Outdoors
Kelvin is no stranger to hard work, discipline, and chiropractic care. While his early years were with an Army family who moved often, they eventually settled in a small town in Kansas when he was just a boy. He grew up working on farms and spending ample amounts of his free time outside hunting, fishing, and hiking. Soon, Kelvin found his love of wrestling which then led to his lifetime commitment to a more holistic view of health and chasing his dreams.
An Injury That Changed Everything
When Kelvin was a senior in high school, he sustained an injury during one of his matches that temporarily took him out of the sport. Initially, he saw his regular medical doctor who misdiagnosed him with a bad bruise. After seeking more care in a different realm of the medical field, he was introduced to his first chiropractor. The chiropractor was able to adjust him and put his collar bone and 2 ribs back into place. Kelvin was eager to get back to the sport he loved and did so a little too soon because they popped back out of place. However, with regular visits to the chiropractor and the brief period of rest, he was able to continue on with his wrestling season.
A Hokie at Heart
In 1979, after completing two years wrestling at a junior college, Kelvin transferred to Virginia Tech to join the Hokies wrestling team. He also helped coach at Christiansburg High School for many years. However, Kelvin’s active lifestyle includes more than wrestling.
Exploring the Outdoors of the New River Valley
Living in the beautiful New River Valley allowed Kelvin so many more opportunities to get outside and enjoy nature. He will be 67 this year and has hiked many of the most popular and difficult trails throughout our area along with several portions of the Appalachian Trail. He has already hiked portions of Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. This fall he will meet a fellow hiker in New Hampshire to hike 110 miles of the hardest terrain and finish in Maine. Without question, Kelvin loves a challenge and pushing himself to be better than he was the year before.
Hiking With Purpose and Connection
Kelvin also finds joy completing these hikes with friends and family - for him that is the ultimate win. He has 3 children who join him regularly on portions of his hikes and he emphasizes that the greatest part isn’t the distance of the hike but the laughs shared and memories made. He loves this time of fellowship and is so grateful for the opportunity to wake up and make the most of each day he’s given.
A Dreamer, Not a Wishful Thinker
When asked how Kelvin motivates himself and others to live a healthy life, he said that he made the decision to be a “dreamer,” not a “wishful thinker.” Kelvin said that rather than going through life thinking, “I’d like to do that,” he makes the choice to figure out how to make it work. He is intentional to push past fears and overcome challenges. Sometimes he may come up short. Sometimes he is able to keep going. Each day is different and he moves forward with what he knows he can do at that moment.
Chiropractic Care as a Foundation
The chiropractic care that became part of Kelvin’s journey back in high school is still a huge part of his life today. Seeing as how he is always on the go, setting new goals, dreaming new dreams, and working hard to achieve them, he relies heavily on his routine with Dr. Brooke. With regular care from Dr. Brooke Kelvin knows that he will be prepared for what is to come. Kelvin appreciates Dr. Brooke for his intelligence, quality of care, and investment in his health. He loves the holistic approach that Dr. Brooke provides in order for Kelvin to live out his dreams. Without a doubt, he knows Dr. Brooke will do all he can to help him with any injury or hike preparation and explore all the options before having to move forward with other medical treatments, if necessary.
Living Each Day as a Masterpiece
If it weren’t for this approach of preparing for what’s to come, waking up each day with total gratitude, and knowing you’re at your best to give it your best, Kelvin would not be able to achieve the things he dreams of doing. “My life is short and it will be over in the blink of an eye. How do I make today a masterpiece?” Kelvin believes he will be stronger at 70 than he is now. And with this amazing outlook on life and his health, there’s no doubt he will accomplish that dream.
